Combination stapler tools



Nov. l1, 1958 w. JoPP 2,859,443

COMBINATION STAPLER TooLs v Filed Oct. 8. 19.56 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1956 wifi/v7.22@

TEP/app NOV. 11, 1958 w, JQPP COMBINATION STAPLER TOOLS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 8, 1956 /A//EA/ToK rm l/afp COMBINATION STAPLER TOOLS Walter Jopp, Lahr, Germany, assignor to SkrebbaiWerk K. G., Lahr-Schwarzwald, Germany Application October 8, 1956, Serial No. 614,455

4 Claims. (Cl. 1-49) This invention relates to fastening devices and more particularly to a desk type stapler combined with housings of different types into which the stapler may be inserted to form fastening tools suited for a variety of purposes. v

Fastening devices are known which arespecially constructed as desk-Staplers, plier-Staplers, stapler-pliers, or tacking hammers, each being particularly adapted to perform its special purpose. lt is further known to use parts or structural groups of a desk-stapler "as integral portions of plier-Staplers, or plier-like fastening devices to form a xed ensemble suitable to the particular intended use. The fastening apparatus so formed remains definitely limited by its special shape and xed construction to the narrow use forv which it is designed.

It is a primary purpose of this invention to provide a combination of fastening tools suitable to meet the needs of a wide variety of purposes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a plurality of tool-like housings suitable to perform special fastening tasks into each of which may be inserted the same fastening mechanism and from each of which such fastening mechanism may be released and removed for insertion into another or different tool housing.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of a conventional desk type stapler, which may be used as is for certain fastening tasks, combined with a variety of plier-like or hammer-like tools to operate as the fastening mechanism within such tools.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of simply and inexpensively constructed means in a number of different tools adapted to quickly and easily receive and lock a single desk type stapler therein in operative position and to readily release such stapler for withdrawal and insertion into different tools.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a number of fastening tools to meet a multiplicity of fastening tasks at reduced cost by use of a common fastening mechanism for all such tools, at the same time simplifying and reducing the cost of repairs in that only the fastening mechanism need be removed and repaired or replaced.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, tgether with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts through` the several figures and n which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a desk-stapler forming the fastening mechanism of a number of tool housings according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of a plier-like tool housing showing the desk-stapler of Fig. 1 in side View partially inserted therein;

States Patent ice Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the plier-stapler similar to Fig. 2 but showing the desk-stapler completely inserted and locked therein;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of a different tool housing showing the desk-stapler of Fig. l in side view completely inserted and latched therein:

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of a tacking hammer-like tool housing with the desk-stapler of Fig. l in side view inserted completely and latched therein, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view through the tackinghammer taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

The desk-stapler illustrated in Fig. 1 is of conventional structure and is used as the common fastening mechanism for all of the tools illustrated in the other iigures. The stapler comprises a stapling arm 1, a staple magazine 2,. and an anvil base 3 carrying the clinching anvil or staple forming die at vone end. The arm 1, magazine 2 and base 3 are hingedly connected at the other end by `a pivot 1. The tongue-like base 3 is held in spread relation to the upper part, comprising the arm 1 and magazine 2, by a supporting spring 4 interposed therebetween adjacent the pivot 1. i

The tool housing incorporating the described staple as a fastening mechanism, illustrated in Figs. 2 4, comprises two plier legs 5 and 6 of U-shaped cross section and formed as handles which are connected at their front ends by a pivot pin 5. Formed on the interior of the lower leg 5 of the plier is a slidetrack comprising a pair of elongated guide edges 7 and a pair of inwardlyl displaced flanges 8 positioned above the guide edges. The tongue-like base 3 of the desk stapler, illustrated in Fig. 1, can be inserted between edges 7 and flanges 8 (Fig. 2) and pushed forward so that the base 3 is carried and held between the guide edges 7 and the anges 8 to the operating position shown in Fig. 3.

When the desk stapler is completely inserted, a holding spring 9, fastened in the lower leg of the plier, latches behind the base 3 so that the desk stapler is held securely against movement in a longitudinal direction. The holding spring 9 at its near free end is offset upwardly to form a latch or abutment 9 and then extended as a handle 9a. The abutment 9 latches behind base 3 of the desk stapler, as shown in Fig. 3. Depressing the handle 9a will release the latch 9 holding the base 3 to the plier handle 5, and the desk stapler can then be with-drawn rearwardly from the lower leg of the plier. If the plier housing is turned, the desk stapler will slide out.

The upper leg 6 of the plier is provided with a pressure roller 1.0 which bears against the upper surface of the stapler arm 1. Pressing together of the' legs 5 and 6 of the plier, pushes the roller itl against the arm 1 of the desk stapler and effects the stapling action. A slot Sa in the forward part of the lower leg 5 permits entrance of papers, or other items to be stapled together, between the base 3 and magazine 2 of the stapler. After each stapling operation, the stapler spring 4 serves to separate both the stapler par-ts and the plier handles 5 and 6.

The tool illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is a combined stapler and plier type of tool suitable for special and heavier work such as fastening cardboard book covers and the like. The housing of the tool is formed with a bottom wall 12 and two parallel side walls 11 defining a hollow space therebetween to receive the desk type stapler of Fig. 1. The base 12 is bent upwardly along its entire length to form a guide and seat for the base 3 of the desk-stapler. Flange 13, bent inwardly from side walls 11, form upper guides and stops for the base 3 of the desk-stapler. A leaf type spring 14 is secured to the underside of the tool 12 through a depressed loop 12a therein. The rear end of spring 14 is bent upwardly to form a latch 14 and rearwardly to form a handle portion 14a which releasably locks the desk-stapler in operative position within the housing.

- The tool side walls 11 are slotted at 11a in alignment with the space between the base and upper parts of the desk-stapler so that cardboard book covers together with other items to be stapled together may be entered through slots 11a. The sides 11 are also provided with a hand grip opening 11b adapted to receive four fingers of the operators hand. Within the forward portion of the tool andl above the desk-stapler is an operating lever 15 pivoted tothe side walls 11 on pin 15a. Lever 15 is curved to form a suitable hand grip and is pressed upwardly above the'tops of walls 11 by a wire spring 15b. Lever 15 is provided with a bell crank portion carrying a roller 1.6 adapted to depress the stapling arm 1 of the stapler when the lever 15 is moved downwardly about pivot 15a.

To operate the tool illustrated in Fig. 5, it is only necessary to grasp it with the thumb and palm of one hand over lever 15 and the four fingers of the same hand inserted into the grip opening 11b. Squeezing the thumb and lingers together will pivot lever 15 and operate the stapler held in the base of the tool. Releasing or opening the hand grip readys the tool for the next stapling operation.

, The tacking hammer (Fig. 7), incorporating the described stapler as its fastening apparatus, comprises an inverted U-shaped part 17 extended at one end to form a' handle which is completed at the bottom by part 17a. About in the middle of the handle part of member 17 is formed a slide track by provision of stamped-in guide edges or ribs 18 and in-turned flanges 19, into which the tongue-like base 3 of the desk-stapler of Fig. l can be pushed from the end opposite the handle. The stapler, before insertion, is opened to align the base 3 with the stapling arm 1 and magazine 2 and when completely inserted, the base 3 is releasably retained in the slide track by a lever 20 and the stapling arm 1 and magazine 2 are retained substantially in alignment with the base 3 by a spring 21.

The lever 20 is centrally mounted on a pivot 171i within the tool housing 17 and at one side of the pivot has a latch portion 20', abuttable with the end of the base 3, and an end extension 2Gb resiliently biased toward the base 3, conveniently by a coil spring 20c, to retain the latch 20 in engagement with the base 3. The end of the lever 20 on the opposite side of the pivot 17b is curved upwardlyV and forms a handle or nger portion 20a that extends through an opening 17 in the upper wall of the tool 17 for ready access to swing the latch 20' from engagement with the base 3.

The spring 21 is fastened at its rear end to the housing 17 and has a stirrup portion 2lb for nesting the pivot portion of the desk stapler and a forward part 21a that both forms a handle and a presser that holds the upper parts 1 and 2 of the desk stapler in the correct position for use, with reference to the hammer head shaped part of housing 17 of the tacking hammer. In use, pressure is brought to bear on the desk stapler by way of a pressure roller 22 within thehousing 17 in such a way that upon striking the head and magazine 2 against a wooden board, the staple is driven into the board because of the yielding of the magazine 2, with respect to the stapling arm 1. Part of the shock of each blow is absorbed by a coil spring 23 interposed between the stapling arm 1 and the upper wall of housing 17.

When it is desired to remove the stapler from Within the tacking hammer, finger portion 20a is depressed,

pivoting the latch portion 20 of lever 20 upwardly against the pressure of coil spring 20c. The handle portion 21a is also sprung slightly to free the pivot end portion of the stapler from the stirrup portion 2lb. This releases the 'stapler base 3 so that it may be withdrawn from the hammer through the open bottom portion at of stapling, pinning and nailing functions as well as special fastening tasks requiring the exercise of great pressure, or which are not adapted to be performed on a desk or table top.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many modications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the priorV art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

That which is claimed as new, is:

1. The combination with a desk stapler comprising a base, a magazine and a stapling arm all hinged together at one end of a fastening tool housing having an opening adjacent one end to slidably receive said base longitudinally and house said desk stapler, means in said housing actuated by manual manipulation of said housing for applying pressure to said stapling arm to performv a stapling operation, and means in said housing for releasably holding said base with said desk stapler in op-- erative position relative to said pressure applying means, said holding means including guide means for supporting said base, flanges extending inwardly from the sides of said housing and spaced from said guide means for overlying said base and holding the latter on said guide means, and a spring latch adjacent said opening for engaging the outer end of said base and releasably retaining said stapler in said housing.

2. The combination described in claim l wherein said fastening tool housing comprises a pair of pivoted plierlike grips, one of said grips including said slide opening and holding means and the other of said grips including said pressure applying means.

3. The combination described in claim l wherein said fastening tool housing comprises a hollow base member including said slide opening and holding means, and said manually actuated means includes a hand grip lever pivoted on said base member.

4. The combination described in claim l wherein said fastening tool housing comprises an elongated base member having said slide opening at one end, said pressure applying means at the other end and said holding means intermediate thereof, said desk stapler being `insertable into said base member when its base is pivoted away from and aligned with its stapling arm and magazine, and additional means on said base member for retaining said stapler in such alignment Within said base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 621,748 Buchholz Mar. 21, 1899 2,139,342 Wheeler Dec. 6, 1938 2,147,380 Peterson Feb. 14, 1939 2,481,451 Shafer Sept. 6, 1949 2,635,235 Green Apr. 2l, 1953 2,656,537 Geel Oct. 27, 1953 2,704,844 MacKechnie Mar. 29, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 688,770 Great Britain Mar. ll, 1953 

